Late Nights withSara-Jayne King

The documentary 'Winnie' that aired on eNCA on Wednesday evening, alludes to 40 journalists who worked with the apartheid security branch StratCom's dirty tricks campaign to ensure articles discrediting anti-apartheid activists such as Madikizela-Mandela made front page news.

There is obviously no dispute that journalists were involved with the apartheid state in planting stories. We remember seeing stories about that in the early 90s and many journalists were exposed in fact may were even jailed, but it is unfortunate that names are being put out there without any kind of truth.

— Adriaan Basson, Sanef Treasurer

As Sanef, we are calling for cool heads at this stage, we are calling for people to come forward with evidence of journalist either retired or still working

— Adriaan Basson, Sanef Treasurer

Just punting names is not only irresponsible but also dangerous to them and their families.

— Adriaan Basson, Sanef Treasurer

Basson says some of the journalists mentioned have been receiving threats and that's why as Sanef they are calling for people to cool down and come forward with proof that those journalists were actually paid to discredit Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.

The strategy of the apartheid state was to divide and spread rumors so we should be careful that we don't fall victim of that strategy again.

— Adriaan Basson, Sanef Treasurer

I have spoken with some of the journalists mentioned, they are Sanef members with sterling records of exposing StratCom during the apartheid era, and that's why we have come out so strongly in support of them.

— Adriaan Basson, Sanef Treasurer

To hear the rest of the interview with Sanef's Adriaan Basson, listen below: